Wes Ball to Helm THE MAZE RUNNER

Back in late 2010, we wrote that Catherine Hardwicke was in early negotiations to direct The Maze Runner for 20th Century Fox. Scrap that because now word has hit that 20th Century Fox has tapped newcomer Wes Ball to direct an adaptation of James Dashner’s dystopian novel.

This reportedly comes after the studio acquired Ball’s animated short film Ruin. However, The Maze Runner will be live-action – screenwriter Noah Oppenheim was tapped to pen the adaptation last January and he has written the first draft of the script. Next comes casting and a production date.

Check out Ball’s impressive short set in a post-apocalyptic North American city overgrown with foliage and has an I Am Legend meets Terminator 2 vibe.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-Xfv_eCpVM[/youtube]

Here’s the book synopsis:

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.